Biodegradation of disodium cocoamphodiacetate by a wastewater microbial consortium.

Biodegradation of an amphoteric surfactant commonly used in personal care products, disodium cocoamphodiacetate (DSCADA), was evaluated. Results from respirometry experiments indicated that high levels of DSCADA (>216 mg/L) may be toxic to bacteria in wastewater treatment processes. Limited biodegradation, with 50% dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal and 80% chemical oxygen demand removal was observed in batch assays, while complete removal of the parent compound, DSCADA, was noted. Oxygen biosensors were used to evaluate biodegradability of the metabolites present in the batch samples. Additional aerobic microbial activity was not detected in these samples, even with a residual DOC of approximately 45 mg/L. Results from this research indicate that biodegradability of DSCADA is limited and recalcitrant metabolites may be formed. Because DSCADA is a commonly used surfactant and is present in domestic and industrial wastewater, the associated risk posed by residual compounds should be carefully evaluated.     

Bioremediation model for atrazine contaminated agricultural soils using phytoremediation (using Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and a locally adapted microbial consortium

The objective of the present study was to examine a biological model under greenhouse conditions for the bioremediation of atrazine contaminated soils. The model consisted in a combination of phytoremediation (using Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and rhizopheric bio-augmentation using native Trichoderma sp., and Rhizobium sp. microorganisms that showed no inhibitory growth at 10,000 mg L^?1 of herbicide concentration. 33.3 mg of atrazine 50 g^?1 of soil of initial concentration was used and an initial inoculation of 1 × 10⁹ UFC mL^?1 of Rhizobium sp. and 1 × 10⁵ conidia mL^?1 of Trichoderma sp. were set. Four treatments were arranged: Bean + Trichoderma sp. (B+T); Bean + Rhizobium sp. (BR); Bean + Rhizobium sp. + Trichoderma sp. (B+R+T) and Bean (B). 25.51 mg of atrazine 50 g^?1 of soil (76.63%) was removed by the B+T treatment in 40 days (a = 0.050, Tukey). This last indicate that the proposed biological model and methodology developed is useful for atrazine contaminated bioremediation agricultural soils, which can contribute to reduce the effects of agrochemical abuse.     

Biodegradation mechanisms and kinetics of azo dye 4BS by a microbial consortium

A microbial consortium consisting of a white-rot fungus 8-4* and a Pseudomonas 1-10 was isolated from wastewater treatment facilities of a local dyeing house by enrichment, using azo dye Direct Fast Scarlet 4BS as the sole source of carbon and energy, which had a high capacity for rapid decolorization of 4BS. To elucidate the decolorization mechanisms, decolorization of 4BS was compared between individual strains and the microbial consortium under different treatment processes. The microbial consortium showed a significant improvement on dye decolorization rates under either static or shaking culture, which might be attributed to the synergetic reaction of single strains. From the curve of COD values and the UV-visible spectra of 4BS solutions before and after decolorization cultivation with the microbial consortium, it was found that 4BS could be mineralized completely, and the results had been used for presuming the degrading pathway of 4BS. This study also examined the kinetics of 4BS decolorization by immobilized microbial consortium. The results demonstrated that the optimal decolorization activity was observed in pH range between four and 9, temperature range between 20 and 40 degrees C and the maximal specific decolorization rate occurred at 1,000 mg l(-1) of 4BS. The proliferation and distribution of microbial consortium were also microscopically observed, which further confirmed the decolorization mechanisms of 4BS.     

Combined phytoremediation of metal-working fluids with maize plants inoculated with different microorganisms and toxicity assessment of the phytoremediated waste

The aim of this study was to validate the effectiveness of a phytoremediation procedure for metal-working fluids (MWFs) with maize plants growing in hydroponic culture in which the roots grow on esparto fibre and further improve bioremediation potential of the system with root beneficial bacteria, seeking a synergistic effect of the plant–microorganism combination. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, total and type of hydrocarbons measured after phytoremediation indicated that the process with maize plants was successful, as demonstrated by the significant decrease in the parameters measured. This effect was mainly due to the plant although inoculated microorganisms had a relevant effect on the type of remaining hydrocarbons. The success of the phytoremediation process was further confirmed by two toxicity tests, one of them based on chlorophyll fluorescence measurements on maize plants and another one based on cyanobacteria, using a bioluminescent toxicity bioassay; both tests demonstrated that the phytoremediated waste was significantly less toxic than the initial non-phytoremediated MWFs.     

Effect of hydrocarbon pollution on the microbial properties of a sandy and a clay soil

The aim of this work was to ascertain the effects of different types of hydrocarbon pollution on soil microbial properties and the influence of a soil's characteristics on these effects. For this, toxicity bioassays and microbiological and biochemical parameters were studied in two soils (one sandy and one clayey) contaminated at a loading rate of 5% and 10% with three types of hydrocarbon (diesel oil, gasoline and crude petroleum) differing in their volatilisation potential and toxic substance content. Soils were maintained under controlled conditions (50-70% water holding capacity, and room temperature) for six months and several microbiological and toxicity parameters were monitored 1, 60, 120 and 180 days after contamination. The toxic effects of hydrocarbon contamination were greater in the sandy soil. Hydrocarbons inhibited microbial biomass, the greatest negative effect being observed in the gasoline-polluted sandy soil. In both soils crude petroleum and diesel oil contamination increased microbial respiration, while gasoline had little effect on this parameter, especially in the sandy soil. In general, gasoline had the highest inhibitory effect on the hydrolase activities involved in N, P or C cycles in both soils. All contaminants inhibited hydrolase activities in the sandy soil, while in the clayey soil diesel oil stimulated enzyme activity, particularly at the higher concentration. In both soils, a phytotoxic effect on barley and ryegrass seed germination was observed in the contaminated soils, particularly in those contaminated with diesel or petroleum.     

植物混种原位修复多环芳烃污染农田土壤

通过比较实验前后土壤微生物主要类群数量、PAHs降解菌数量、土壤PAHs含量和植物不同部位PAHs含量变化,评价植物单种和混种野外原位修复多环芳烃(PAHs)污染农田土壤的效果。结果显示,150 d天生长期内,黑麦草/小麦混种及黑麦草/蚕豆混种修复效果最好,对土壤PAHs总量的降解率分别达到了59.4%和64.8%。同时,这2个混种处理土壤细菌、真菌和PAHs降解菌数量分别显著高于相应的小麦、蚕豆和黑麦草单种处理。植物不同部位PAHs含量高低次序为根部>茎叶≈籽粒。混种模式下,蚕豆和小麦不同部位PAHs含量比单种模式的不同程度降低,特别是籽粒部。植物混种模式不仅显著提高了土壤PAHs的降解率,还降低了农作物体内PAHs含量,实现了边生产边修复,在污染农田土壤修复领域有着广阔的应用前景。     

Interactions between a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixture and the microbial communities in a natural freshwater sediment

The toxicity of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixture was assessed on the indigenous microbial communities of a natural freshwater sediment. The fate and effects of the PAH mixture (phenanthrene, fluoranthene and benzo(k)fluoranthene) were studied over 28 days. Bacterial communities were described by bacterial counts (total bacteria and viable bacteria), and by some hydrolytic enzyme activities (beta-glucosidase and leucine-aminopeptidase), PAH concentrations were measured in the overlying waters and in the sediments. No effect of PAH was detected at 30 mg/kg for all bacterial parameters. At 300 mg/kg, the quantity of total bacteria and the proportion of viable bacteria markedly decreased, compared to the control (0 mg PAH/kg). At 300 mg/kg, an increase of the beta-glucosidase activity and a decrease of the leucine-aminopeptidase activity were observed. For all treatments, the benzo(k)fluoranthene concentration in the sediment was stable over 28 days whereas, in the same time, only 3-6% of the initial concentrations of phenanthrene and fluoranthene remained. This study shows that (1) PAH induce perturbations of sediment microbial communities in terms of density and metabolism (but not always as an inhibition), (2) indigenous bacteria of sediments might be used for toxicity assessment of specific organic pollutants, (3) native microorganisms of sediment seem to have a high capacity for PAH degradation, depending on the physico-chemical properties and the bioavailability of the substance encountered.     

Biofilm comprising phototrophic, diazotrophic, and hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria: a promising consortium in the bioremediation of aquatic hydrocarbon pollutants

Biofilms harboring simultaneously anoxygenic and oxygenic phototrophic bacteria, diazotrophic bacteria, and hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria were established on glass slides suspended in pristine and oily seawater. Via denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis on PCR-amplified rRNA gene sequence fragments from the extracted DNA from biofilms, followed by band amplification, biofilm composition was determined. The biofilms contained anoxygenic phototrophs belonging to alphaproteobacteria; pico- and filamentous cyanobacteria (oxygenic phototrophs); two species of the diazotroph Azospirillum; and two hydrocarbon-utilizing gammaproteobacterial genera, Cycloclasticus and Oleibacter. The coexistence of all these microbial taxa with different physiologies in the biofilm makes the whole community nutritionally self-sufficient and adequately aerated, a condition quite suitable for the microbial biodegradation of aquatic pollutant hydrocarbons.     

铁氰化钾对双室微生物燃料电池曝气阴极性能的改善

为研究铁氰化钾对双室微生物燃料电池(MFC)阴极性能的改善效果,以碳毡和碳棒作为复合电极材料,乙酸钠为阳极电子供体,分别以氧气、铁氰化钾和氧气交替作为阴极电子受体.通过测定使用铁氰化钾作阴极电极液之前和之后的曝气阴极MFC的功率密度及极化曲线,比较曝气阴极MFC的内阻、开路电压(OCV)和最大输出功率的变化情况.实验结果表明,当以铁氰化钾作为MFC阴极电子受体时,MFC的内阻、开路电压和最大输出功率分别为24.2 Ω、744.2 mV和33.7 W/m3.曝气阴极MFC在采用铁氰化钾作电极液对阴极性能进行改善之前和改善之后的内阻由77.2 Ω降低到40.1 Ω,OCV和最大输出功率分别由517.9 mV和2.1 W/m3提高到558.2 mV和4.4 W/m3.研究表明,铁氰化钾本身不仅具有优良的接受电子的能力,而且对电极材料(碳毡和碳棒)的电化学性能具有明显的改善作用,使得使用铁氰化钾之后的曝气阴极MFC的产电性能有了明显且持久性的提高.     

Direct coupling of a genome-scale microbial in silico model and a groundwater reactive transport model

The activity of microorganisms often plays an important role in dynamic natural attenuation or engineered bioremediation of subsurface contaminants, such as chlorinated solvents, metals, and radionuclides. To evaluate and/or design bioremediated systems, quantitative reactive transport models are needed. State-of-the-art reactive transport models often ignore the microbial effects or simulate the microbial effects with static growth yield and constant reaction rate parameters over simulated conditions, while in reality microorganisms can dynamically modify their functionality (such as utilization of alternative respiratory pathways) in response to spatial and temporal variations in environmental conditions. Constraint-based genome-scale microbial in silico models, using genomic data and multiple-pathway reaction networks, have been shown to be able to simulate transient metabolism of some well studied microorganisms and identify growth rate, substrate uptake rates, and byproduct rates under different growth conditions. These rates can be identified and used to replace specific microbially-mediated reaction rates in a reactive transport model using local geochemical conditions as constraints. We previously demonstrated the potential utility of integrating a constraint-based microbial metabolism model with a reactive transport simulator as applied to bioremediation of uranium in groundwater. However, that work relied on an indirect coupling approach that was effective for initial demonstration but may not be extensible to more complex problems that are of significant interest (e.g., communities of microbial species and multiple constraining variables). Here, we extend that work by presenting and demonstrating a method of directly integrating a reactive transport model (FORTRAN code) with constraint-based in silico models solved with IBM ILOG CPLEX linear optimizer base system (C library). The models were integrated with BABEL, a language interoperability tool. The modeling system is designed in such a way that constraint-based models targeting different microorganisms or competing organism communities can be easily plugged into the system. Constraint-based modeling is very costly given the size of a genome-scale reaction network. To save computation time, a binary tree is traversed to examine the concentration and solution pool generated during the simulation in order to decide whether the constraint-based model should be called. We also show preliminary results from the integrated model including a comparison of the direct and indirect coupling approaches and evaluated the ability of the approach to simulate field experiment.     

Biodegradation of hydrogen sulphide by inoculated Rhodococcus sp.zw11 in a pilot-scale biotrickling filter

A strain of autotrophic micro-organism, Rhodococcus sp.zw11, was isolated from pharmaceutical wastewater containing hydrogen sulphide (H₂S). The shape, physiological and biochemical characteristics and oxidation capacity of Rhodococcus sp.zw11 were studied, and the effect of inlet concentration and volumetric loading of H₂S on the removal efficiency was evaluated by the biotrickling filter inoculated with Rhodococcus sp.zw11. The results suggested that the optimal temperature of Rhodococcus sp.zw11 (aerobic bacilli, short rod and gram-negative) was from 20°C to 28°C and the optimal pH was from 5.5 to 6.5. The criteria necessary for a scale-up design of the biotrickling filter were established, and pressure drops at the start and end of the experiment were investigated. The optimal inlet loading could be noted as 180 g/m³h, corresponding to H₂S removal efficiency close to 100%. Furthermore, the inoculated biotrickling filter had good ability to resist shock loading, which was a potential industrialisation method to control H₂S emissions.     

Improved bioavailability and biodegradation of a model polyaromatic hydrocarbon by a biosurfactant producing bacterium of marine origin

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic pollutants mostly derived from the processing and combustion of fossil fuels and cause human health hazards. In the present study a marine biosurfactant producing strain of Bacillus circulans was used to increase the bioavailability and consequent degradation of a model polyaromatic hydrocarbon, anthracene. Although the organism could not utilize anthracene as the sole carbon source, it showed better growth and biosurfactant production in an anthracene supplemented glycerol mineral salts medium (AGlyMSM) compared to a normal glycerol mineral salts medium (GlyMSM). The biosurfactant product showed high degree of emulsification of various hydrocarbons. Analysis by gas chromatography (GC), high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that the biosurfactant could effectively entrap and solubilize PAH. Thin layer chromatographic analysis showed that anthracene was utilized as a carbon substrate for the production of biosurfactant. Thus organic pollutant anthracene was metabolized and converted to biosurfactants facilitating its own bioremediation.     

The fate of the aqueous phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fraction in a detention pond system

The concentration of dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in influent, effluent, and within a detention pond system was measured. The "soluble fraction" was operationally defined as the PAHs in solution that passed through a 1.2 μm filter. The results show that influent and effluent PAH concentrations were similar, indicating that dissolved PAH moved essentially unhindered through the detention pond system. In general, low molecular weight PAH were present at the highest concentrations and the highest PAH concentrations were measured in Summer. Also, year-to-year variations in PAH concentration were observed. At the end of sufficiently large storms, the pond was comparably unpolluted. During dry periods, the dissolved PAH concentration rose, possibly due to evapoconcentration and by partitioning of PAH from trapped contaminated sediment in the detention pond system. This study provides evidence that aqueous-phase PAH concentrations in runoff water were relatively unaffected by the passage through a conventional detention pond system.     

MIP系统在某挥发性氯代烃污染地块调查中的应用

针对我国挥发性有机污染地块调查评估中存在的采样缺失、成本高及周期长等问题,选择华北地区某挥发性氯代烃污染地块为研究对象,采用现行调查方法与基于膜界面探针(MIP)系统快速调查技术联合使用的方式,现场完成场地钻探调查点位4个(土壤样品36个),MIP系统调查点位11个(验证点位4个),以研究MIP验证点位检测电信号值与其对应场地钻探点位的地层信息、实验室检测数据之间的相关性,以及使用MIP电信号值模拟地块地层和污染空间的分布特征。结果表明,MIP系统检测的土壤电导率电信号值(EC)能够更为详尽地表征地块的地层结构信息;在地块范围内的同一种土质中,MIP系统的专用卤素检测器电信号值(XSD)与实验室检测数据拟合度相对较高(R²>0.99);MIP系统快速调查技术与现行调查方法联合使用能够快速且高效表征调查地块内VCHs的污染空间分布特征。本研究结果可为MIP系统快速调查技术在挥发性有机污染地块调查评估中的应用提供参考。     

Remediation of a chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon in water by photoelectrocatalysis

Photoelectrocatalysis driven by visible light offers a new and potentially powerful technology for the remediation of water contaminated by organo-xenobiotics. In this study, the performance of a visible light-driven photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) batch reactor, applying a tungsten trioxide (WO₃) photoelectrode, to degrade the model pollutant 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) was monitored both by toxicological assessment (biosensing) and chemical analysis. The bacterial biosensor used to assess the presence of toxicity of the parent molecule and its breakdown products was a multicopy plasmid lux-marked E. coli HB101 pUCD607. The bacterial biosensor traced the removal of 2,4-DCP, and in some case, its toxicity response suggests the identification of transient toxic intermediates. The loss of the parent molecule, 2,4-DCP determined by HPLC, corresponded to the recorded photocurrents. Photoelectrocatalysis offers considerable potential for the remediation of chlorinated hydrocarbons, and that the biosensor based toxicity results identified likely compatibility of this technology with conventional, biological wastewater treatment.     

一体式MFC-好氧MBR运行效果及膜污染特性

膜生物反应器（MBR）是一种高效的污水处理工艺,而微生物燃料电池（MFC）能利用N0i作为电子受体进行脱氮。为解决膜生物反应器（MBR）脱氮效率低和膜污染问题,建立了一套能够进行脱氮、有效抑制膜污染的一体式MFC-好氧MBR新工艺。以开路MFC—MBR反应器为对照,对耦合系统中污水处理效果、膜污染情况进行研究。研究表明,2套系统的COD去除率均超过88％,对NH4-N的去除均达到99％。闭路MFC—MBR系统TN去除率达到69．4％,高于开路系统的55．3％。混合液的MLVSS／MLSS稳定在88％左右,同时耦合系统能够改善污泥混合液的性质,zeta电位的绝对值和粘度较开路系统有所减少,污泥颗粒平均体积粒径（233．482μm）较开路系统（94．877μm）有明显增加,膜清洗周期延长了41．17％。     

一体式MFC-好氧MBR运行效果及膜污染特性

膜生物反应器(MBR)是一种高效的污水处理工艺,而微生物燃料电池(MFC)能利用NO-3作为电子受体进行脱氮。为解决膜生物反应器(MBR)脱氮效率低和膜污染问题,建立了一套能够进行脱氮、有效抑制膜污染的一体式MFC-好氧MBR新工艺。以开路MFC-MBR反应器为对照,对耦合系统中污水处理效果、膜污染情况进行研究。研究表明,2套系统的COD去除率均超过88%,对NH4-N的去除均达到99%。闭路MFC-MBR系统TN去除率达到69.4%,高于开路系统的55.3%。混合液的MLVSS/MLSS稳定在88%左右,同时耦合系统能够改善污泥混合液的性质,zeta电位的绝对值和粘度较开路系统有所减少,污泥颗粒平均体积粒径(233.482μm)较开路系统(94.877μm)有明显增加,膜清洗周期延长了41.17%。     

Monitoring microbial community in a subsurface soil contaminated with hydrocarbons by quinone profile

A natural attenuation experiment was carried out using a lysimeter for 308 days after contaminating the subsoil with hydrocarbons (HCs) and the changes in the structures of microbial community in the hydrocarbon (HC) contaminated subsoil were monitored by quinone profile analysis. The residues of HCs remained for 217 days in the subsoil after the contamination. The amount of total quinones (TQ), an indicator of microbial biomass, significantly increased in the HC contaminated subsoil for 217 days, comparing with that of the background subsoil or the subsoil before the addition of HCs. The major quinone species and the quinone composition, indicators of community structure, were significantly different between the HC contaminated soil and the background soil for 217 days. The major increased quinine species in the HC contaminated soil were menaquinone-8(H4), menaquinone-9(H2) and ubiquinone-9, indicating the propagation of Gram-positive bacteria with high guanine and cytosine content and gamma-subclass of Proteobacteria and fungi. There was no significant difference in the diversity of the quinone species (DQ), an indicator of taxonomic diversity of microbial community, except for the decrease in DQ in the shallow subsoil after 35 days when a high concentration of HCs was detected. After 308 days when the HCs in the subsoil disappeared, TQ returned to the level of the background soil, and no significant difference in quinone composition were observed between the HC contaminated soil and the background soil. The results suggested that respiratory quinones are effective biomarkers for characterizing the temporal changes of microbial community in the HC contaminated subsoil.